Yachting: Sick yachtie stable as plans made for rescue

4.59 am

Sick American sailor Keith Kilpatrick's condition has stabilised on Grant Dalton's round-the-world race yacht as preparations are made to airlift him off closer to Australia.

Kilpatrick has an acute stomach problem, believed to be a blocked intestine, and emergency medical supplies were dropped to Amer Sports One by an Australian air force Orion early yesterday to replenish the yacht's supplies, which were virtually exhausted.

The yacht was 1200 nautical miles southwest of Australia on the second leg of the Volvo ocean race from Cape Town to Sydney.

Dalton has been unable to communicate by radio but in an overnight e-mail he said he was sure the drama "will have a happy ending".

Dalton said they were still racing as hard as they could towards the waypoint at Eclipse Island off the southwestern tip of Australian coast.

He said Kilpatrick was likely to be airlifted off the yacht in a couple of days.

"The treatment he is receiving on board from onboard doctor Roger Nilson is quite outstanding. I faint at the sight of needles so am of no use at all.

"Two bunks have been put aside for him, one to sleep in, the other to house the substantial supplies we now have, and to hold the drip.

"He is constantly monitored and when Roger sleeps, which is not often, the boys check him constantly.

"Maybe there are better places he could be right now but I can guarantee you he would never get more attention than we are giving him -- brothers-in-arms and all that stuff."

Nilson, the only doctor aboard the seven ocean racing yachts, said the Australian air force using 'stunning precision' to drop seven packages of medical supplies about 300 metres in front of the yacht.

"The last box was picked up just before we totally lost daylight but the aircraft had strobe lights if needed. We took the spinnaker down and used the mainsail and engine, going bow to wind in order to pick up boxes with a boat hook we made for the job," Nilson said.

He said Kilpatrick was showing signs of a partial or complete intestinal blockage but he was now in a stable condition.

"He still needs drugs for pain relief and sleeping. He is on two heavy antibiotics.

"He has received five litres of intravenous fluids and we have his dehydration under control.

"He still has colic cramps as before and we plan to get him off the boat as soon as possible. He needs better hospital care then we can offer and we are asking Race HQ how and when to get him off."

At the last position report earlier today Dalton was still in sixth place but was gaining on the leading five yachts.

- NZPA